“What a rare and beautiful soul with his unstoppable passion for life,” it read. “He was equal parts serious thinker and the most fun little brother you could ever dream of. I am so honoured to have been able to direct such a deep actor, so committed and genuine. I will forever be grateful for all of those little exchanges we shared, his contagious enthusiasm, his questions, his company. My heart breaks for his mom and dad who were a part of every anecdote. He carried their love into everything he touched.”

Justin Lin, who directed Yelchin in this summer’s Star Trek Beyond, tweeted to highlight the actor’s “passion and enthusiasm”.

Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you.

Yelchin was involved in a freak parking accident at his Los Angeles home on Sunday morning. He has a number of projects still to be released, including this summer’s Star Trek Beyond and sci-fi mystery Rememory with Peter Dinklage.